What Causes a Collapsed Sewer Line

There are several potential causes behind a collapsed Sewer Repair Indianapolis, IN. By being aware of what causes a collapsed sewer line and what the warning signs are of a collapsed sewer line, you can prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. At the very least, you’ll be able to spot a problem early on before the damage intensifies.

Signs That Your Sewer Line Has Collapsed

It can be difficult to determine at first glance whether or not your sewer line has collapsed. In order to know for sure, a professional needs to check underground with a CCTV camera. You can’t really tell from above ground. Common signs that your sewer line has probably collapsed are a blocked sewer, a waterlogged ground where it wasn’t waterlogged before, and a sudden depression in the garden or driveway.

Additional warning signs of a collapsed sewer line include higher water bills, lower water pressure or flow, strange odors, and damp spots on the floors. Although a funky, musty odor can be an indicator of a different problem in the home, it could also mean that the sewer line has collapsed. Higher water bills is the most sure sign that you have a collapsed sewer line. It makes sense because if water is escaping through the pipes, you’re going to end up using more water than usual. Similarly, lower water pressure and flow are a red flag that you have a collapsed sewer line.

It is important to note that water pressure and flow are not the same thing. Water pressure is the force of the water being pushed out. If the sewer pipes have broken, cracked, burst, or expanded, then the water pressure could be lower than it once was. In contrast, water flow is the volume of water that you receive rather than the force behind it. Damp spots on the floor that aren’t the result of you spilling something are another potential sign of a collapsed sewer line. Don’t ignore damp spots on the floor because they could cause mildew or mold.

Now that you know what the warning signs are for a collapsed sewer line, we’ll cover the three most common causes behind a sewer line collapsing:

Tree Roots – One of the potential causes of a sewer line collapse is tree roots growing into the joints of the pipe. This eventually causes the pipes to break. The root systems of trees tend to follow pipe lines as they grow because water pipes contain nutrients that are beneficial for the tree.

Sudden Temperature Changes and Extremely Cold Temperatures – A sudden change in temperature stresses sewer lines, which can lead to collapse over time. Extremely cold temperatures also stress the pipes, making them more likely to break.

Very Heavy Loads on Top of Soft Soil – In rare instances, a very heavy load on top of soft soil will cause a sewer line to collapse.

Old Age – Sewer pipes won’t last forever. If they have become too old, then they will break down. Most of the water pipes in the United States were installed after WWII, making them very old. Pipes that are over 30 years old become susceptible to collapsing.

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